Question

An infant with tetralogy of Fallot is experiencing a tet attack involving cyanosis and dyspnea. Which position should the infant be placed in?

1.) Fowler's
2.) Knee-chest
3.) Trendelenburg's
4.) Prone

Answer 1

For an infant with tetralogy of Fallot during a tet spell, the knee-chest position is recommended to alleviate symptoms of cyanosis and dyspnea. This helps reduce the abnormal blood flow seen with this congenital heart defect.

Step-by-step explanation:

An infant with tetralogy of Fallot experiencing a tet spell or 'tet attack' involving cyanosis and dyspnea should be placed in the knee-chest position. This position helps to increase vascular resistance which in turn decreases the right-to-left shunting (abnormal blood flow), thus reducing the amount of deoxygenated blood circulating through the body. Although the definitive treatment for tetralogy of Fallot is surgical correction, the knee-chest position can be a useful acute management technique to improve oxygenation during a tet spell.

In terms of managing tetralogy of Fallot, the child is monitored extensively due to the high risk of mortality associated with this congenital heart defect. Echocardiography imaging is typically used for confirmation and assessment of the heart defects.